sewing a civilian sack question

[Iceman]

I'm making a civilian sack coat at the moment based on a period tailor's plate, which means that there are no instructions. I've made several military jackets, and even a double-breasted frock, but it would just seem that a military garment would get put together slightly different than a civilian garment. I just feel that a civilian garment would/should have cleaner lines than a military garment. So, does anyone have a specific way that a civilian sack coat collar gets attatched to the body in order to produce nice clean lines? I'm thinking that the collar should get sewn onto the body when I'm putting the body pieces together, rather than attatch the collar last as on a military jacket.

Nic Clark
Chasseurs de Chalmette
Interpreter Ranger, Mansfield SHS